Transcript Imperialism and the Spanish

Imperialism and the
Spanish-American War
Was the U.S. justified in going to war
with Spain in 1898?
I. American Foreign Policy Principles
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Three main themes guided
U.S. foreign policy prior to
the Age of
Industrialization:
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1) Washington’s
Farewell Address
2) Monroe Doctrine
3) Manifest Destiny
Washington’s Farewell Address
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“Steer clear of permanent
alliances with any portion of
the foreign world”
“Such an attachment of a
small or weak towards a
great and powerful nation
dooms the former to be the
satellite of the latter.”
“The great rule of conduct for
us in regard to foreign
nations is in extending our
commercial relations…”
The Monroe Doctrine
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Issued Dec 1823
“Further efforts by
European nations to
colonize land or
interfere with states
in N. or S. America
would be viewed as
an act of
aggression”
During early years
largely enforced by
the British
Manifest Destiny
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Through annexation
of territory, treaties
and a wars of
aggression, the
United States added
territory before the
Civil War
American settlers
moved West into the
newly acquired
areas.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
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Did U.S. foreign policy during the Age of Imperialism and
World War I represent a shift from traditional foreign
policy values?
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By acquiring territorial possessions overseas, was the
U.S. being hypocritical to its roots as a country that had
a revolution to overthrow colonial rule?
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As an emerging world power, what was the proper role
for the U.S. in international affairs?
God has not been preparing the Englishspeaking and Teutonic peoples for a thousand
years for nothing but vain and idle selfadmiration. No....He has made us adept in
government that we may administer government
among savage and senile peoples....He has
marked the American people as His chosen
nation to finally lead in the redemption of the
world.
Senator Albert J. Beveridge, 1900
Reasons for American Imperialism
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Raw materials and markets
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The next frontier (Frederick Jackson Turner)
The Anglo-Saxon myth
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Benefit industry and agriculture
Social Darwinism
White Man’s Burden
Missionary zeal – spread Christianity
American Naval power – Alfred T. Mahan
th
19
Century Imperialism
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1853-54 -- Japan -- The "Opening of Japan" and the
Matthew Perry Expedition. [The State Department
does not give more details, but this involved the use
of warships to force Japan to open its ports to the
United States].
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1859 -- China -- For the protection of American
interests in Shanghai.
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1893 -- Hawaii -- Ostensibly to protect American lives
and property; actually to promote a provisional
government under Sanford B. Dole This action was
disavowed by the United States.
Annexation of Hawaii
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Hawaii closely tied to
U.S. through treaties
Economy dominated by
U.S. owned sugar
plantations
U.S. planters organize a
rebellion in 1893
1898 U.S. annexes
Hawaii
Economic and military
benefits
II. Causes of Spanish-American War
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U.S. interest in Cuba
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Ostend Manifesto (1854)
Economic interest (sugar)
Monroe Doctrine
During the 1890s, Cuba revolted against Spain
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The Spanish, led by General Valeriano Weyler, used
brutality to quell rebellion
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Opposition leader – Jose Marti
William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer engaged in yellow
journalism (using sensational, biased, and often false reporting to
attract readers), which gained public support for American
intervention
De Lome Letter, describing Pres. McKinley as “weak,” was
intercepted
The battleship Maine exploded in Havana harbor (“Remember the
Maine!”)
III. Results of Spanish-American War
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“Splendid little war” in Cuba lasted only a few
months (final battle took place at San Juan Hill led
by TR and the “Rough Riders”)
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Admiral Dewey – Manila Bay, Philippines
In December of 1898 the Treaty of Paris is signed,
granting Cuban independence and giving the U.S.
the Philippines (for $20 million), Guam and P.R.
Before the war, the U.S. had promised not to annex
Cuba under the Teller Resolution, but the U.S. did
establish a military presence in Cuba and passed
the Platt Amendment in 1901
U.S. suppressed independence movement in
Philippines
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTCw2xjegQw
An American Empire?
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With prior annexation of
Hawaii , U.S. had largest
military presence outside
of West. Hemisphere
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Only Hawaii would be put
on road to statehood –
only due to lobby of white
sugar plantation owners
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Previously, virtually all
territory gained had been
settled by “Americans”
The Case of the Philippines
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Philippine leader
Emilio Aguinaldo
thought he was
fighting for
independence from
Spain
McKinley would not
grant Philippines
independence or
statehood
U.S. wanted military
base
U.S. occupies the
Philippines until
“civilized”, leads to
war
War in the Philippines
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George Dewey American Asiatic Squadron easily
destroyed the Spanish fleet at Manila.
Initially, Filipino rebels welcomed American troops in
their fight against Spain.
After the United States intended to annex their
country, they turned against their former allies.
Between 1899 and 1902, Americans fought a war
that led to the death of one in every five Filipinos.
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Supporters defended the war as bringing freedom and
government to the Filipinos.
Critics wondered if the U.S. could build an empire without
sacrificing its democratic spirit.
Anti-Imperialist League
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Some argued imperialism
violated principles of
independence and selfgovernment
Others feared economic
competition
Trade unionist worried about
cheap labor
“Contamination from ‘inferior’
race”
Mark Twain, Andrew
Carnegie and William
Jennings Bryan were
among a small but
influential group critical
of imperialism.
America as Mother Country
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Does the Constitution follow the
flag? That is, do people living in
American territories have the same
constitutional protections as
American citizens?
The “Insular Cases” Series of cases before
Supreme Court regarding rights of
peoples in U.S.
territories
Ruled the Constitution
does not follow the flag